OUR STORY
Windsor Ballet Academy was created to provide the highest quality ballet education to children in Windsor-Essex so they can pursue their dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer, right here at home. At Windsor Ballet Academy, we teach our students the values of hard work, discipline, and self-belief, so they can find success inside and outside the studio.
Windsor Ballet Academy follows the prestigious Vaganova method of ballet, which has produced the best ballet dancers in the world. The Vaganova method focuses on strength and flexibility, proper alignment, and developing the dancer as an artist.
Riley McGuire
Ms. Riley started dancing at the late age of 13 with the goal of becoming a professional ballerina. She took her first classes at Edmunds Towers & with Andrea Stafford. To achieve her dream, she sought out more intensive training and joined Valentina’s School of Ballet in Michigan. There, she trained six days a week under master teacher Valentina Barsukova. She has competed in the biggest ballet competitions, winning awards in Canada and America, and received multiple offers and scholarships to top schools including the National Ballet School of Canada, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Kirov Ballet Academy, and the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow. At 16, she became the first North American to be admitted to the Belarus State Ballet Academy, where she performed with the Belarus National Ballet in productions such as Sleeping Beauty. Ms. Riley is a Bolshoi Ballet Academy Certified Teacher.
PRE-BALLET PROGRAM
A foundational program for students ages 3-8
Windsor Ballet Academy’s Pre-Ballet Program is the first step in a child’s ballet journey. Designed to inspire a love of movement and music, this program builds the foundational skills that support future technique, artistry, and discipline. Pre-Ballet students participate in two in-studio performances during the season.
Level 1
ages 3-5
At this level, we focus on developing a sense of rhythm, coordination, & body awareness in each student. We aim to foster a love for music & movement students will carry with them as they advance in their training.
Level 2
ages 6-8
At this level, dancers are introduced to foundational ballet movements & basic positions, with an emphasis on stretching & alignment. Here, students build the strength & flexibility needed for formal ballet training.
Pre-Professional Program
An audition-only program for students ages 9-18
Windsor Ballet Academy’s Pre-Professional Program is Windsor’s most elite ballet training, where students are prepared for a career in ballet. Entrance into the program is by audition only. Pre-professional students train extensively in classes including ballet, pointe, variations, rehearsal, character dance, historical dance, and stretch. They compete in the best ballet competitions and audition for the top ballet schools and companies around the world.
Auditions
Auditions for Windsor Ballet Academy’s Pre-Professional Program are held at the beginning of June each year for children ages 8-10. There is no cost to audition and no dance experience is necessary – at this age, we focus on the potential of the student.
For older students wishing to be considered for the program, private auditions can be scheduled throughout the year.
Sign up to register your child and receive updates on our June audition here:
ACADEMY PROGRAM
Quality training in ballet, pointe, repertoire, and stretch forstudents ages 9–18, with a schedule that allows for balance beyond the studio
The Academy Program provides serious and structured training without the intensity of a full-time schedule. Dancers ages 9–18 take classes in ballet, pointe, repertoire, and stretch, with two in-studio performances a year. Whether students aim to audition for university dance programs or as a meaningful extra-curricular, this program equips them with the discipline, technique, and confidence needed to succeed inside and outside of the studio.
Academy Program students are divided into three levels based on their age.
Level 1
ages 9-11
Level 2
ages 12-14
Level 3
ages 15-18
elevate Program
Open classes for dancers, skaters, & gymnasts looking to take their training to the next level
Windsor Ballet Academy’s Elevate Program focuses on improving overall technique and gaining flexibility through classes in ballet, stretch, & pointe work, for intermediate and advanced level* students. The Elevate Program is designed to compliment your current training, whether it be competitive dance, figure skating, or gymnastics, by letting you choose the classes and days that work for you.
*Level placement is decided on a case-by-case basis to assure each student is placed in the appropriate level to get the best training possible based on their current ability.
Classes in Ballet, Pointe, and Stretch – you choose the days!
Classes begin September 2025.
ADULT PROGRAM
classes that take adult training seriously, with levels for everyone
Windsor Ballet Academy takes adult ballet training seriously – offering the only full length classes in the city. Our adult sessions are tailored to all levels, from absolute beginners discovering ballet for the first time to experienced dancers returning to the art.
Classes are taught with the same attention to detail and technique as our youth programs, with individualized corrections and guidance to help each dancer improve safely and confidently.
Absolute Beginner
This level covers the basics of ballet, focusing on the fundamentals – proper alignment, basic positions, muscle engagement, & foundational technique.
Intermediate
For dancers with a solid grasp of fundamentals, ready to build on their foundation. We begin to combine moves and work a little faster.
Advanced
For those with previous experience in dance and who are comfortable working at a fast pace with complex combinations.
Summer Intensives
Windsor Ballet Academy’s Summer Intensives help keep students on top of their training during the off-season and sets them up for success in September.
Our intensives are four-day sessions with classes in ballet, pointe, stretch, and turns for intermediate and advanced dancers.
INTERMEDIATE
ages 10-13
July 21-24 3:30-6
July 28-31 3:30-6
August 4-7 3:30-6
ADVANCED
ages 14-18
July 21-24 6-9
July 28-31 6-9
August 4-7 6-9
PRICING
1 day – $60.00
1 week – $150.00
3 week discounted rate – $370.00
*all prices are subject to HST.
Contact Us
ADDRESS
3315 Marentette Ave, Unit 2, Windsor, ON, N8X 4G3
E-MAIL
wbadirector@windsorballetacademy.ca
PHONE NUMBER
(226) 739-3989
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